Former Tyrone star Owen Mulligan has hit out at Mickey Harte, branding him "naive and slow to make changes" during their semi-final defeat to Dublin at the weekend.

The Red Hands were beaten 2-17 to 0-11 by the defending All-Ireland champions in Croke Park, after struggling to cope with the cutting edge of Jim Gavin's side.

Few teams would have been able to cope with the Dubs on the day but former All-Star Mulligan said Tyrone were "steamrollered".

He said: “I went to Croker on Sunday full of optimism and sure that Tyrone were going to put it up to Dublin, however I couldn’t have been more wrong. We can have no argument about the result, we were completely outfought and overrun for the entire game.

"As soon as our lads shook their opponents hands the blue jerseys were right in their face, that and the level of intensity brought by the Dubs was like nothing Tyrone faced all year. They targeted our big players, who were all well marshalled, and young lads, who were doing so well this season kept making mistakes due to the pressure they were under.

“I never thought I’d say something like this about Mickey Harte, but it was totally naive on his part and he was slow to make changes on the line.

In all his time with the county, I can’t remember a side of his being out-classed like that. I’ve been saying all summer that Ulster football was falling behind, but this result makes it look even worse.

"A 12-point loss in a semi-final? That’s crazy and it’s a result an Ulster side would have got in Croke Park back in the 80s.”

Tyrone's Ronan O'Neill dejected after the game (Image: INPHO)

Mulligan, writing in his Paddy Power blog, insisted this Dublin side is the best he's ever seen.

He added: “Dublin are a different animal, they steamrollered us. They were first to every ball, breaking so many tackles and their defenders were getting hands in and dispossess Tyrone when they had no right to.

"They were so patient in attack, happy to pass it around the 45 and wait for things to open up. If there was nothing on, they weren’t going to chance it.

"So, it was very difficult for us to get turnovers. When a team makes you chase them, it absolutely exhausts you and Dublin’s patience would’ve helped empty Tyrone’s players’ tanks faster than they’ve ever experienced.

“I wasn’t around for the great Kerry and Dublin teams, so for me these are the best side that I have ever seen. You can only coach so much and tactics alone won’t get you over the line, what makes this side so strong is the abundance of quality footballers they have.

"Their bench would hammer most sides in the country, their fitness levels are off the charts and they’re going to be around for some time.

"A lot of people talk about how great the Tyrone teams I played in were, but I’m just thankful that we never came up against this crop at their peak. They’re incredible!”

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